Bernie wants F1 on the BBC

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone wants the sport to remain on the BBC following reports that the British Broadcasting Corporation could be considering cutting the sport from their programming.

'We want Formula One to stay free to viewers. That is 100%. The BBC have done a great job for us and we like their shows and the people obviously like it because so many are watching,' Ecclestone told the Times.

Formula One viewing figures suggest that F1 is at a decade high in the popularity stakes with some viewing figures stating that so far this season F1 has averaged around 5million viewers, something that hasnít been seen since the very early years of ITVís coverage of the sport 13 years ago.

F1 returned to the BBC in 2009 signing a 5-year contract for the exclusive broadcasting rights in the UK.

But with the BBC attempting to cut its budget by around 20% over the next few years, the media has speculated that the axe could drop on their coverage of sport and in particular Formula One despite its obvious popularity.

Bernie continued: 'They [BBC] did warn me that they were facing problems but, so far, nothing more has been said. I hope they want to keep us because it is such a success and I will do my best to keep Formula One on the BBC.'

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